Police are working closely with detectives here following the stabbing of Dean Fitzpatrick by his stepdad Dave Mahon two weeks ago, the irishmirror.ie can reveal.

And the siblings’ heartbroken aunt Christine Kenny said she now hopes Dean’s death will unlock the mystery of Amy’s 2008 disappearance in Spain.

She added: “I am happy to know that they are looking at this, possibly in a different light. Hopefully this is going to bring some closure for Amy.”

In another development, security sources have revealed several people have come forward with new information about Amy.

And Spanish police have exclusively told us they:

* MAY travel to Ireland to take new statements over Amy’s disappearance

* NEVER closed the teenager’s file and insist her case is still active, and

* WILL apply to extradite any new suspects identified in Ireland.

A senior investigator working on the case of 15-year-old Amy said last night that they were “interested” in Dean’s tragic death.

The Guardia Civil officer said: “Police in Spain are aware of Dean’s death. They have been in touch with gardai and are co-ordinating with them.”

The Irish Mirror revealed Dean planned to come forward with new information on the case before he was stabbed to death two weeks ago.

Now it is hoped new information will emerge pointing police in Spain or Ireland towards her abductor.

The Malaga-based detective was reluctant to give any details on the police’s future plans.

He added: “I can tell you that the investigation is ongoing.”

Area near Calahonda where Amy vanished

However, when asked if Spanish cops would seek extradition of any suspects linked to Amy’s disappearance, he replied: “If a suspect is identified in Ireland, then an extradition order will indeed be sought.”

He also said that if any new witnesses came forward in coming weeks, his team would consider sending officers to Ireland to record their testimonies.

Amy and Dean’s aunt Christine Kenny told the Irish Mirror she welcomed the comments of the Guardia Civil – and despite the trauma of Dean’s death, will continue the search for her missing niece.

She said: “The last few weeks have just been so difficult. We know where Dean is, we want to find where Amy is now.”

The blue-eyed girl was just 15 years old when she went missing from Riviera del Sol in Mijas Costa, near the beach resort of Fuengirola on New Year’s Day 2008.

The pretty teen was living with Dean, mum Audrey Fitzpatrick and stepfather Mahon at the time.

But the last person to see her before she vanished was her best friend Ashley Rose, who was living just 10 minutes away.

Ashley recalled how Amy stayed with her to babysit her brother before heading back home at around 10pm.

The 19-year-old said on Sunday that she is convinced her friend was killed.

She said: “It was someone out there who knew her, that’s my opinion.

“I know Amy’s dead. I don’t hold on to any hope of ever finding her alive.

“We all had someone on our radar at the time and that hasn’t changed over the years.”

Stabbed Dean with his dad

The Guardia Civil last night insisted that Amy’s disappearance is still being treated as a “missing person case”. In Dean’s case, gardai are preparing a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions, with charges likely to be brought in the autumn.

The 23-year-old was stabbed to death with a kitchen knife in a flat on Brunell Square shared by his mum and Mahon.

The father of one fled the building and collapsed on the street outside in Northern Cross, Dublin.

Dean’s stepfather Dave Mahon has already admitted to involvement in the killing. However, he claims he stabbed the young man in self-defence.

The 42-year-old former estate agent presented himself to gardai the day after Dean was killed.

He was arrested but later released without charge.

A security source told the Irish Daily Mirror: “Dean’s death has raised a lot of questions among those who knew him and Amy.

“They want answers and are prepared to come forward with any information that might be of help to detectives.

“Several people have already contacted investigators and hope to testify soon.

“And this might shed light on Amy’s disappearance.”

People with information on either case have been urged to get in touch with Dean and Amy’s dad Christopher Fitzpatrick on http://www.searchforamy.com/

Gardai can be contacted on Coolock Garda station on 01 6664200, or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.